We hire 1 intern every term, but just finalized 2 offers on full-time employees (not previously known).

I'm all about the culture fit - my founders care about the technical capabilities.

I ask the following two questions:

1a) You have 8 balls and a fulcrum scale. Each ball looks, tastes and smells the same. One ball is slightly heavier then the rest. Find it using the scale only twice.

If the candidate blows through this one I ask the following.

1b) If I gave you 3 uses of the scale and one heavy ball, what is the largest number of balls you could weigh?

I find this question shows that they can problem solve. Most developers try a 4x4 split - which doesn't work. It's great to witness their problem solving technique.

2a) How do you put an elephant in a fridge? 2b) How do you put a giraffe in the fridge? 2c) If the king of the jungle has a meeting with all of the animals, who is missing? 2d) How would you cross a river that is known to be full of alligators?

This question helps bring out the candidates sense of humour due to it's sheer ridiculousness. We tend to be very informal, it's very important we can shoot the shit with our employees.